BSc [Hons] Applied Psychology
Fascinating and practical, this is a unique opportunity to study how psychology applies to everyday existence – including our use of technology – and to explore how psychology can create new ways to improve quality of life. Topics include; personality, childhood, mental processes (such as attention and memory), the brain and its disorders, and how other people influence our behaviour. Learn skills employers want, such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
What is Applied Psychology and how does it differ from Psychology?
Psychology is the study of the mind and mental processes in relation to behaviour.
Applied Psychology: In addition to studying the mind and mental processes in relation to behaviour, Applied Psychology is especially concerned with the practical applications of psychology to everyday life, including issues such as technology, health, education, and rehabilitation
This means that the course in IADT offers all the core components that other accredited psychology degrees offer as well as modules in applied psychology. This offers our graduates a competitive edge when applying for postgraduate studies, or employment in the technology or social science sectors.
What will I do?
A mix of group work, lectures and tutorials, independent study is combined with approx. 22 hours a week in class.
From second year you specialise in either Psychology + Technology or Psychology + Practice.
Wide range of innovative assessments — on any given day you could be doing a small-scale research project, making a game, creating a blog, giving a presentation, designing a poster or volunteering in the local community.
What will I be able to do when I graduate?
This degree is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, which means it meets particular standards and has particular core characteristics. Graduates leave with a competitive edge because this course explores the same core psychology modules as other equivalent, accredited undergraduate courses, but also offers additional modules in applied psychology. There is an emphasis on the application of psychology to everyday life, the workplace, community, industry, and technology (e.g. sport and health psychology, organisational psychology and cyberpsychology). Graduates often pursue postgraduate studies or enter the technology or social science sectors.
What modules will I study?
Year 1 – everyone does all modules
Introduction to Psychology, Personality and Individual Differences, Cyberpsychology, Research Methods and Statistics 1, Multimedia Design, ICT, and shared Introduction to Film, Art + Creative Technologies (FACT) module.
After a common first year, students choose one of two paths: Psychology and Practice or Psychology and Technology.
Year 2
Common modules: Developmental and Lifespan Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Perception, Research Methods and Statistics 2, Cross faculty elective.
- Psychology and Technology Path: you will undertake Information Design + Multimedia, Usability.
- Psychology and Practice Path: you will study Sport + Health Psychology, Organisational Psychology.
Year 3
Common modules: Social Psychology, Neuropsychology, Abnormal Psychology, Research Methods and Statistics 3, IT Group Project.
- Psychology and Technology Path: you will learn how to do Web Applications and Content Management.
- Psychology and practice path: you will study Educational Psychology.
Year 4
Common modules: Transpersonal + Positive Psychology, Advanced Research in Psychology, Psychology of New Media and Entertainment and Major Research Project.
- Psychology and Technology Path: you will study Human Computer Interaction in Practice.
- Psychology and Practice path: you will study Forensic Psychology.
Is the degree approved/accredited?
The IADT degree in Applied Psychology is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland. In IADT we explore the same core psychology modules that all accredited undergraduate courses in psychology do (e.g., social psychology, abnormal psychology and research methods). This means that our graduates can progress to the fields of professional psychology if they so wish.
What is the workload like?
The B.Sc. (Hons) in Applied Psychology is a full-time commitment. You will have classes most days and you are expected to do independent study as well.
What are the assessment like?
Our programme is 50% continuous assessment and 50% end-of-year exams. This means that during the academic year you will nearly always have something to be working on We pride ourselves on our wide range of innovative assessments – on any given day you could be doing a small-scale research project, making a game, creating a blog, giving a presentation, designing a poster or volunteering in the local community. We aim to give you the skills that employers want their employees to have, including teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills.
Do I need to be good at maths?
We have the most excellent and dedicated stats lecturers who will guide you through the stats over the four years
Is there a work or Erasmus placement?
At the moment there is no formal work or Erasmus placement although some students secure relevant work internships during the summer. There is an ‘altruism project’ in third year where students work in different environments (according to preference) e.g. computer clubs for children. This has often led to formal work offers.
How much technology is involved?
There are two IT modules in first year – designed to equip students with multimedia design skills (e.g. to produce graphical displays and posters). In second year and beyond students can opt for one of two streams ‘practice’ and ‘technology’ – this means students who have an interest in the IT side of things can take further modules in this area. Those who do not can focus on more general applied psychology
What do graduates end up doing?
Meet some of our graduates:
Shane Murphy – UX and engagement strategist in an advertising agency, Rothco
Megan McDonnell – Provides inflight entertainment and megadata management for international airlines
Rosie Fitzgerald – Research executive for BBC Sport and Radio 5 Live
Dr Tom Burke – Clinical psychologist in Beaumont Hospital
Dr Hannah Cullen – Counselling psychologist
Why study Applied Psychology in IADT?
Why not ask our students? Here is what our graduates said about our programme in a recent survey:
“Broad range of topics and transferable skills”
“There are few other places in which psychology students get so much one-to-one time with lecturers”
“Small class sizes”
“If you have an interest in psychology – do it! It is a well-rounded course… “
“IADT is the place to be for Cyberpsychology and Applied Psychology”